Aortic Valve

Aortic Valve

Aquired Valvular Heart Disease

Aortic Valve InsufficiencyAortic valve consists of three

leaflets.It mediates the flow of blood from the left ventricle to the aorta and the rest of the body.

Results when the leaflets do not completely seal the aortic orifice and allows a backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle.

Aortic Stenosis

Aortic Stenosis

Aortic valve stenosis is a type of valvular heart disease characterized by an abnormal narrowing of the aortic valve opening.

When the aortic valve becomes progressively narrowed, a pressure gradient is created between left ventricle and the aorta.

Aortic Stenosis

Initially, the left ventricle compensates by thickening of its walls in order to maintain adequate systolic function in order to overcome the increased load caused by the stenotic aortic valve.

Aortic Stenosis

EtiologyCongenital bicuspid aortic valve

(30-40% of cases).Acute rheumatic fever (less

than 10% of cases).Age related.

Aortic Stenosis

Sign and Symptoms

Angina Pectoris

Chest pain

Orthopnea

Dyspnea on exertion

Fatigue

Aortic Stenosis

Diagnostic Tests

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)• Heart catheterization• Echocardiogram• Chest X-ray

Aortic Stenosis

Medical Treatment

Any angina is generally treated with short-acting nitrovasodilators, beta-blockers and/or calcium blockers

Any hypertension is treated aggressively, but caution must be taken in administering beta-blockers

Any heart failure is generally treated with digoxin, diuretics, nitrovasodilators and, if not contraindicated, cautious inpatient administration of ACE inhibitors

Aortic Stenosis

Nursing Diagnosis: Activity intolerance related to imbalance between oxygen supply and demand.

Evaluation: Patient’s condition will improve within few days.

Intervention:• Assess vital sign of the patient

• Administer oxygen as prescribed by doctor - To reduce oxygen requirement and chest pain.• Encouraging patient not to do much activities - To decrease cardiac workload

Outcome: Patient’s condition shows some improvement.

Aortic Regurgitation


Is the leaking of the aortic valve of the heart that causes blood to flow in the reverse direction during ventricular diastole, from the aorta into the left ventricle.


When the pressure in the left ventricle falls below the pressure in the aorta, the aortic valve is not able to completely close.

This causes a leaking of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle.


This means that some of the blood that was already ejected from the heart is regurgitating back into the heart.


Etiology

AgingHypertensionInfective endocarditisTrauma


Dyspnea on exertion

Orthopnea

Palpitations

Angina pectoris

Cyanosis

Circulatory shock

Sign and Symptoms


Medical Treatment

• ACE inhibitors • Angiotensin II receptor antagonists • Nifedipine• Hydralazine


Nursing Diagnosis: Activity intolerance related to diminished cardiac output.

Evaluation:

Intervention:• Restrict fluids and diuretics as ordered - To reduce pulmonary congestion• Administer oxygen as ordered - To reduce oxygen requirement

Outcome:

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Aortic Valve